Christmas Turkey - Give it to baby!

Not sure what to do with your leftover turkey this Christmas? Why not feed it to baby! Most pediatricians in the United States recommend that meats such as chicken and turkey be introduced to a baby when he is between 8-10 months of age. Check out these great recipe ideas from Momtastic.

Turkey Baby Food Purée

Ingredients:

1 cup cold and cooked boneless turkey – chopped into no bigger than 1 inch pieces

1/4 c cooking juice or plain water

Directions:

Step 1: Place turkey chunks in blender or food processor and puree until a powdery mix is formed. Slowly add water and puree further until a smooth consistency is created.

Step 2: Add as much liquid as needed to make a consistency appropriate for your baby. You may add veggies or fruits to this puree as you like.

Apples & Chicken/Turkey

Ingredients:

1/3 cup chopped & cooked boneless turkey*

1/4 cup cooked apple (no skin or seeds), very soft You can also use a 1/4 cup of Natural applesauce

Directions:

Step 1: Puree chicken/turkey with cooked apple in a food processor or blender until desired consistency for baby is achieved.

Simmering Sweet Apples & Turkey

Ingredients:

1 chicken breast or 1 turkey breast filet – uncooked and diced

1 or 2 medium sized apples, peeled, cord and diced

1/2 cup peeled and diced sweet potato

2 cup water or chicken or vegetable stock

Directions:

Step 1: Combine all ingredients in a medium sized pot

Step 2: Bring to a slow boil and then turn the heat down.

Step 3: Simmer until the meat pieces are cooked; approximately 20 minutes. Keep an eye on the liquid level when simmering.

Step 4: When meat is fully cooked and the apples are mushy, remove contents to a bowl and allow to cool. Puree, mash or chop for your baby.

Variation:

Add 1/4 cup uncooked brown rice before cooking

Add 1/4 uncooked cous cous or quinoa before cooking

Brown Rice Turkey & Peach Stew

Ingredients:

1/2 c cooked boneless turkey or chicken – chopped

1/4 c cooked brown rice

1 ripe peach, pitted, peeled and steamed or baked

1 tb peach juice (white grape or apple juice may be used or juice may be left out)

1 tb milk and 2 ts wheat germ

Directions:

Step 1: Mix all ingredients together, transfer to blender/food processor and puree or chop to make textured for older babies.

Variations:

Cook chicken/turkey pieces and peach together in a pot with a scant amount of water – simmer until chicken/turkey pieces are cooked; approximately 20 minutes. Keep an eye on the water level when using small amounts of water and simmering. Add the rice to the cooked turkey/chicken and peach and then process as needed for your baby’s texture preference.

Substitute the peach for mango, papaya or apricots or combine them all.

Cheesy Turkey Sweet Potato Mash with Carrots

Ingredients:

1/2 cup cooked diced chicken or turkey

2 medium sweet potato

2 carrots, peeled and diced

1/4 cup grated cheddar or colby cheese

Directions:

Step 1: Peel and dice the sweet potato and carrots

Step 2: Boil or steam the potato and carrots until tender. You may also bake the carrots & sweet potato together for a more yummy taste.

Step 3: Mash the sweet potato and carrots and then add the cheese; mash some more.

Step 4: Add the chicken or turkey and then chop, mash or puree as needed for your baby.